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I know the time I do not cycle I get up tight things bother me just about anything bothers me...but when I can get a good ride in it is like therapy nothing bothers me If I have a problem A good bicycle ride seems to take care of it?
sometimes I feel guilty for cycling has often has I do so I go for a good walk and that is when I learn over again the reason why I bicycle,then I do not feel guilty anymore...because I've proven to myself why I cycle and why I need to cycle for therapy.:cool:

Originally posted by chip I know the time I do not cycle I get up tight things bother me just about anything bothers me...but when I can get a good ride in it is like therapy nothing bothers me If I have a problem A good bicycle ride seems to take care of it?
sometimes I feel guilty for cycling has often has I do so I go for a good walk and that is when I learn over again the reason why I bicycle,then I do not feel guilty anymore...because I've proven to myself why I cycle and why I need to cycle for therapy.:cool:

I was thinking the EXACT same thing today! I've been off the bike due to an injury, but I had my first ride back today. I went easy, but had a great time.

Anwyho, I have been as you described - simple things bothering me, etc. Now that my stress relief drug of choice is back underneath my feet - life is good again.

Exercise is a natural antianxiolytic and antidepressant! A Duke psychiatrist once said at a conferance that if everyone ran/biked/aerobicised five days a week, it would be equivalent to taking 20 mg of Prozac a day( for those who don't have severe major clinical depressin that is.) I don't feel guilty at all going for a ride despite my numerous obligations. I figure it's cheaper than seeing a psychiatrist or paying for medicines every month.!

Originally posted by cbhungry Exercise is a natural antianxiolytic and antidepressant!

For me it is not just the exercise. I always feel better when I am exercising regularly but there is something about cycling that goes beyond other activities for me.

I think it is the fact that for an hour or two a day I am just focused on that little piece of road directly in front of me. While my concious brain is just worrying about that ,the rest of my brain thinks about things that have been bugging me or problems that I have been working on. It really clears my head when there is a lot going on. Maybe that is why I get so ticked when someone in a car takes the time out to mess with me. It makes me focus on another Problem instead of the little piece of road in front of me.

I think it is the fact that for an hour or two a day I am just focused on that little piece of road directly in front of me. While my concious brain is just worrying about that ,the rest of my brain thinks about things that have been bugging me or problems that I have been working on. It really clears my head when there is a lot going on.

Also for me- there's nothing like jumping on your bike when you've had a crap day and just completely get all the stress out of your system by having an awesome ride. It completely clears my head and helps me to focus on the solutions to whatever problems I may have.

I think of it as a spiritual thing, like therapy or getting in touch with the natural world. I am still excited by the fact that I can get around quickly and efficiently on my own power! Bikes are such a cool machine. Too bad cars were invented shortly after bikes. But back to the subject. I enjoy getting out on a back road or trail and just enjoying the day on my bike. I feel ALIVE!

I agree with you and everyone else that biking is a form of therapy, a stress relief drug of choice, a natural antianxiolytic and antidepressant, a form of meditation, it goes beyond other activities, it completely clears the head and helps to focus on the solutions to whatever problems that one may have, and it's a spiritual thing. For me, it's a little bit of all of these things.

MI_rider--yes, it's pretty sad that there are some idiots out there that take the time and effort to make negative comments. They must have pretty weak egos.

The only thing about cycling is when I am not doing it and see others on the bike. I get all envious. A definite need.
The mind gets all liberated I think from the sense of freedom. Maybe the touring in beautiful places makes one feel connected to good. Unless commuting, I only ride in beautiful locations.
The smells, the sights. Meet up with other cyclists. Unless the hard core racing types- they are always great people with interesting stories.
Think it disconnects you with the lousy you are anxious to get out and forget.

Yeah, I find the same thing. A ride is a form of therapy (unless I get set upon by wild horses, but I'll ramble on about my weekend in another thread). It's a great way to kick stress in the butt. For me it's just about releasing frustrations. I normally go and find a good solid hill somewhere and there's nothing quite like the basic act of climbing to let out anger. After this I find I can see the problems in a whole new light.

Sadly, I have read many stories about hard core racing types who were into biking partly for the adrenaline rush of competition, who dropped out of biking when they no longer felt they were competitive.